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From: "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: AM radio law opposed by tech and auto industries is close to
 passing
Date: Sat, 4 May 2024 12:23:51 +0200
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On 2024-05-02 21:34, Don Y wrote:
> On 5/1/2024 11:28 PM, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>> You are talking of the USA?
>>
>> I would think that there are areas over there where FM in cars does 
>> not work, and people have to use AM.
>>
>> It happens in Spain, which is far smaller, so surely it happens in the 
>> USA.
> 
> It's not just location.
> 
> There are lots of ways to deliver a message (announcement) to people
> wirelessly -- AM, FM, FM-HD, TV, Satellite radio, cell phone, "air raid"
> sirens, etc.
> 
> But, you have to think of which they are likely to be able to receive
> AND which are easiest to "support".
> 
> You can legislate requirements for broadcasters (as a condition of
> granting them use of the air waves) mandating they "conduct periodic
> tests of (an) emergency broadcast capability".  But, you are ultimately
> reliant on them to maintain that capability, despite any pressure on
> profits, etc.
> 
> We routinely lose TV reception due to outages on the mountain (where
> most of the transmitters are located).  Imagine the consequences of
> an earthquake or wildfire in areas where transmitters (or repeaters)
> are located.  Or, hurricane, tornado, flood, etc.
> 
> Not everyone owns a cell phone -- or keeps it ON for the convenience
> of CALLERS!  The same can be said of all broadcast media (do I have
> to keep a radio/TV ON 24/7/365 "just in case"?

The cell network is very vulnerable to disasters, you can not rely on it.

> 
> AM radio can be leveraged for wide area coverage without requiring
> lots of other technology to keep it operational.  And, the receivers
> can run for long periods of time on batteries (that are likely
> stale) or clock-spring mechanisms (emergency radios).
> 

I have seen radios with a hand spun dynamo.

I saw some electronic magazine publishing one such radio made using the 
motor from a floppy drive (if memory serves) as generator.

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.